Insignifica

Weekending, Weird Al, Police and Police, Baby Schedule

Happy Friday! It's the end of the work week, and the beginning of the weekend. Tomorrow's my first full day alone with the child (the girlfriend goes back to work on Saturdays starting tomorrow), so I'm looking for things to do. I'm thinking we'll at least go to the Farmer's market in Irvine. That place rules.

Picture of the day!

Girlfriend, front right, at the Farmer's Market a few weeks back.

One of my major problems with police and lethal weapons is that it allows them to become judge, jury, and in some cases, executioner. What's worse than this case, however, is a quote from Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd: "Ladies and gentlemen, God will be the judge and jury this time".

That's disgusting. No matter how "sure" the cops were that this was the guy, he was still only a suspect. Judd went on to say "SWAT team members shot and killed the man who killed our deputy...The killer chose his end. He chose his end because he didn't show both hands". If I were in charge, actions and attitudes like that would result in at least a firing, at hopefully jailtime for Judd. It makes a mockery of the whole justice system.

In other police news (actually unrelated to the above), check out my post immediately below this one on your rights and the rights of police. Just a few things that have been on my mind lately.

Oh, someone remind me to get the Weird Al album tomorrow. I haven't had a chance to go out and get it.

So, readers, any plans this weekend? I'm picnicing Sunday, going out tomorrow, and hopefully finding some time to straighten up my office (which is becoming a closet through disuse). Enjoy your weekend!

Random questions about my rights

A few random questions:

If a police officer tells you to do something (put your hands up, hand over your car, take off that offensive shirt), are you automatically breaking the law if you don't do it?

What if I don't believe the man is really a police officer?

Am I within my rights to call 911 and request help? If he really is a cop, is this "resisting arrest", or whatever the non-"television cop show" real life equivalent is?

Do I need to wait until I get to the courtroom to have my say, regardless?

No incident sparked these questions; they're just things I've been thinking about for a while. Police, to me, would seem to have almost limitless ability to exploit you if they so desire, and stories from television/other people would seem to indicate that if you resist, in words or actions, the cops can detain you, no matter if what they've done is legal/ethical.

Thoughts?

Me and Baby, Stress Relief, Picnic, Chairs, Chilly

Happy Thursday! My condo complex is repaving today, so I had to move my car at 7am. You know what? It was chilly. Very refreshing!

Picture of the day!

Eric posing with some masks, at a party at Jane's in March 2004.

I've been able to sell the chairs, but the table's still for sale. please considering buying it!

I think, before it gets too unpredictable weather-wise, we should have a picnic and potluck. Are you free this Sunday for delicious food, frisbee, horseshoes and catch?

Realization: Most stress is self-inflicted. Most every body can be happy and relaxed most of the time.

The girlfriend goes back to work, on Saturdays, starting this weekend. Katherine and I are on our own. What should we do? Staying around the house all day is gonna get really old, really fast. Thoughts?

Mail, Travel, Wholly unsatisfying, Wednesday

Happy Wednesday! The week's half over, weather here in Orange County is fantastic, and so far I have no plans this weekend. Rock on!

Picture of the day!

Ken, feeling horny.

Don't you hate it when you look forward to some food for a few days, then when you have it, it's nowhere near as good as you expected? A breakfast burrito filled that role for me today. Wholly unsatisfying! New resolution: If food sucks, don't eat it. Bad food has just as many (or more!) calories than good food.

I decided NOT to go to Internet Librarian in Monterey this year, for a variety of reasons, including the difficulty of traveling with a 4 month old, the lack of things for the girlfriend and baby to do in Monterey while I'm at the conference, and my reluctance to drive up to Santa Cruz every night I'm there. All that said, it's possible we'd be taking a shorter trip to the greater Bay Area sometime in December. More details to come.

I'm still in the process of gathering things to send to everyone who asked for my "I'll send you something" project, but if you'd like to send me something (in general, in response, or for fun), send mail to:

Michael Doss
P. O. Box 10541
Santa Ana, CA 92711

Mail is fun!

Burrito, First Pitch, Table, Leisure, Weird Al, Fall

Tuesday! What a day! Cool mornings, mild days and evenings. Fall can rule sometimes.

Picture of the day!

Marek and me talking at Cinco de Mayo 2004. Note my beautiful blonde locks of hair coming down from The Hat.

New Weird Al today! I'll probably go out and buy the CD tonight. I honestly can't remember the last album I cared about buying so much I got it on the release date.

Response for my Leisurely Weekend Roadtrips has been amazing! I'm looking forward to actually planning some. Leisure is the key - any suggestions to locations within about 2 hours of here?

Would you like a table? It's "$25 or best offer", which is code for "I'll give it to you for free if you come pick it up". It's a nice table, really.

Really.

Adam rules! He gets to throw out the first pitch at tomorrow's Angel Game. Rock!

What's cool with you, readers? I wish I had a breakfast burrito. How about you?

Buy this table - Cheap!

Buy my table!

http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/fur/211843123.html

Thanks!

Weird Al, Spinach, Almost October

Good day, and Happy Monday! Time continues to go faster, and I realize it's nearly October, we're already into birthday season, and Halloween is just a few weeks away.

Yikes.

Picture of the day!

An accidentally interesting photo of an empty seat. Perhaps the invisible man came to the Halloween party?

I miss spinach.

Woohoo, new Weird Al tomorrow! And it's actually worth buying the disc, as it's got all sorts of videos and extras. Robot Chicken featured the video for "Weasel Stomping Day" yesterday - entertaining as always.

What's new, readers?

3000, Roadtrip, Holidays

Happy Friday! It's the last day of Summer/first day of Fall here in the beautiful Northern Hemisphere, as well as Rosh Hashanah for our Jewish friends and the second harvest day for my Pagan buddies. Happy days, everyone!

Picture of the day!

The girlfriend at the Huntington Library in 2003.

Lots of interest for my "Breakfast and a Roadtrip" idea from yesterday. My thoughts: Get together around 8 or 9am, enjoy a leisurely breakfast, get on the road between 10 and 11, go somewhere a couple hours away in a caravan (maybe with entertaining walkie-talkie conversation!), enjoy the area we're at for a while, have a late lunch or early dinner, see some more sites, then head home. Within 3 hours of here we've got San Diego, the deserts, the mountains, Ventura and Santa Barbara, and all points in between - limitless possibilities! What a delightful way to spend a Sunday!

As for that 3,000th comment...whoops. I made it. I'll send myself a prize!

Readers, thanks, as always, for reading. Say hello and make it official, and have a great weekend!

Question, Comments, Sending, leisureliness, Seasons

It's Thursday, again! Beautiful weather, and we're just a day away from the Fall Equinox. Summer? Fast.

Picture of the day!

Abstract Play-Doh art. Either that, or cthulhu.

I realized today that I very rarely, if ever, go out for a leisurely breakfast or lunch with my friends. The probably is the result of us rarely doing things on weekend mornings and afternoons - for whatever reason, we really only get together at night. The idea of going somewhere moderately inexpensive, than just hanging out playing games, going to a park, or going on a mini road trip in intensely appealing to me. Who's in?

Lots of response to my "I'll send you something" event - Marcie, Joz, Nhan, Gary & Emily, Garrett, and Beth will be getting something, so far. If you want something, just let me know, and include your address when you let me know. I'll get some stuff together this weekend to send out!

We're getting dangerously close to comment 3,000. If you make it, you win an extra special prize!

Question of the day, readers: If you were having lunch with Jesus, who pays?

Hopeful for poker, Halloween, late update

Whoops. Got too busy to update the page early, so here we go. Happy Wednesday!

Picture of the day!

Ryan, looking sharp at Halloween 2004.

On the Halloween front, a party will happen. Where and how large are still up in the air, but there'll be something. Don't you all worry. Uncle Mike's here for you.

Now that I'm done with Strato for a while, I hope to get some more poker in - I'm lucky to have a babysitter on the way to the casino - thanks mom! I just haven't left the baby there yet. There's something superficially wrong with dropping the baby off to play poker, but I love it.

What's new for you, reader?

Shake your Keyboard, Send Me Your Address, TLAPD

Yarrrr! It's Tuesday, and Talk Like A Pirate Day! Avast ye maties, etc.

Picture o' the day:

Arrr, it was a weddin', and I'm not mightily a pirate, but tis' darn close. Gar, Where can I find a bottle o'rum?

The next meeting of the Orange County Atheists will be held Tonight, September 19 at 7:30pm at the International House of Pancakes at 18542 MacArthur Blvd in Irvine, near John Wayne Airport. A map to the location is available here. If you're planning on attending please RSVP at our website forums. More information and discussion is available there as well.

Last year (at this time, interestingly enough - maybe I should check to see if my PO Box is paid up), I had what I called a "Snail Mail Extravaganza", where I invited everyone to send me something, and I posted the results here. It was a lot of fun, and I got wonderful stuff from Nhan, Gary, Emily, and Joz. I was reminded of it this year when one of my myspace buddies had a similar game, but her premise was a little more giving - send her your address, and she'll send you a present! How cool is that! So cool, in fact, that I'm stealing her idea.

What's this mean for you? It means if you give me your address (either in comments or emailed to me at michael@michris.com), then I'll send you something cool in the mail! It'll be weird, personal, and pretty cool (especially since getting stuff in the mail that's not a bill pretty much rules). If I know you, I'll personalize it just for you. Then, if you're so inclined, I'll provide my address so you can send something to me! It's more fun when it's mutual.

Your assignment for today: Turn your keyboard over and shake. Report what comes out. Then send me your address so I can send you something!

thanks for posting, question

Thanks everyone for posting comments on the "Leave Me a Comment Day" post! I love knowing that everyone's reading, remembering little things about our online relationships, etc.

It's not too late - even though it'll scroll off the page in a few days, I still read every comment that comes in here. I just wish there was an easy way for me to tell you that I'm responding to it! Thanks again!

Now, how to thank you all? Please offer suggestions for things I can do for you as an individual reader, either here, in email, or in real life. I'm open to all suggestions!

Halloween, Spinach, Starbucks, Weekending

Happy Monday! Great weekend celebrating Marek's birthday (unfortunately, there are very few pictures), and generally relaxing yesterday. For the first time in a while, the weekend didn't seem rushed.

Picture of the day!

A newly uploaded pic of the baby and mamma. I think I surprised Katherine. She looks guilty of something.

Lots of comments around here about Diedrich Coffee being bought by Starbucks, and lots of the general Starbucks bashing you'd expect. You know, if you don't want fancy flavors, or if Soy Milk is too hippie for you, or if blending frozen drinks freaks you out, you can order a regular cup of coffee at Starbucks. Really. And it's not that expensive compared to most other places. Sure is a lot of complaining going on - if you don't like it, just don't go. I realize there are Starbucks on every corner, but believe me, if you look around, there are several other coffee places at each corner too.

Beware spinach! I have a bag at home I bought on Friday before it all got taken off the shelves. Do I feel lucky?

Halloween quickly approaches. This year, the costume is set, but the party is in flux. I'll let you all know more when I do.

How's Monday treatin' ya, folks?

Desks and Cleaning, Dinosaur Comics, Restore, Birthday, LMACD, Friday!

Hey, Friday! It's been deliciously cool and cloudy for September, but it should be a bit warmer this weekend. Enjoy the last few days of summer while they last!

Picture of the day!

Lisa shows how she deals with unruly children.

I'm a bit disappointed in the response to yesterday's Leave Me A Comment Day, but there's no rule saying you can't play today. Enjoy!

Happy early birthday to Marek, who turns 28 and will be a good excuse to drink beer and eat some delicious food tomorrow. Not that we need an excuse, but it makes it more special. Happy beer and food and birthday!

I used XP's system restore yesterday for the first time, and it worked! Just thought I'd share that.

Today's Dinosaur Comic reflects on something I do myself. I love DC because it reminds me so much of conversations I've had, only with more exclamation points. You might also have noticed I've been using more of those lately. Now you know why!

My weekend plans including cleaning my garage and selling a desk (which I'll show off here, in case anyone wants it. It's a nice desk. Really). And yours?

Leave Me A Comment Day!

It's Leave Me A Comment Day! The rules are simple!

1. Leave me a comment. Tell me your name (or alias), how you found the site ("I know you" is an acceptable answer), and how often you visit.

2. Next, comment about something! It could be about me, you, me and you, my darn adorable daughter, my weirdo political views, whatever! Here are a few things to get you started!

3. If you leave the address of your webpage, I'll leave you a comment. Easy!

Pictures for your perusal:

Weirdo Things I truly believe:

Children really shouldn't have any homework! Six hours a day at school is more than enough for a still-developing mind.

Police should only carry non-lethal weapons, and massive effort should be put into making weapons that can stop people with almost no chance of killing them or hurting the police.

People's concern about cute animals or pets in dangerous situations (as exemplified by shows like "Animal cops" or public outcry over animal abusers) are totally absurd if they eat meat.

The Government really has no right or responsibility to dictate interpersonal romantic relationships! Marriage should be a cultural action only, anything concerning the government should more closely resemble a business agreement.

That's it! Now, each and every one of you, get to commenting!

Tomorrow's comments, cute baby, RSS and Livejournal feeds, fast week

Boy, this week's moving fast. Not sure about this weekend's plans, but they should involve birthday festivities. Oh yes.

Picture of the day!

On the road to Vegas, February 2006. Wonder when I'll go back?

I wanted to remind my readers that if you use Livejournal, Insignifica is syndicated here. Be aware, though, that if you comment there, I likely won't see it, so click on the link to come back here if there's something you'd like to say.

On that same note, There's an RSS feed for Insignifica here, and it's always available in the "Links" box in the left hand menu bar. Enjoy!

A special thank you to everyone who keeps commenting on the attractiveness of my daughter. She really is cute! I know I'm the father and all, but Katie really is a good looking baby - nice round head, big eyes, just the right amount of bulk, plus she smiles like a champ. We're considering getting her into some modeling, on a very limited basis. Anyone have experience with that?

Just to prepare you, tomorrow will be "Leave A Comment Day", where I ask everyone reading to leave a comment, tell me how they know me/found the site, etc. You're welcome to leave comments here, of course, but I'll do my begging tomorrow.

Just so you know.

OC Atheists meeting, Bansky, Tuesday

Tuesday, eh? Fair enough. I got a hot shower at home today, thanks to the new water heater. Rock on, showers and dishwashers!

Picture of the day!

Marek and the girlfriend at my reunion this weekend. Everyone's having a good time!

Mike Randall posted this over at the OC Metblog, about guerrilla artist Bansky planting an inflatable doll dressed as a Guantanamo Bay prisoner at Disneyland. While I tend to enjoy this type of art, I'm thinking was fairly pointless, especially at Disneyland compared to somewhere like Ground Zero or some military installation. Check out the link, and leave your thoughts.

The next meeting of the Orange County Atheists will be held on Tuesday, September 19 at 7:30pm at the International House of Pancakes at 18542 MacArthur Blvd in Irvine, near John Wayne Airport. A map to the location is available here. If you're planning on attending please RSVP at our website forums. More information and discussion is available there as well.

If you consider yourself an atheist, an agnostic, a freethinker, a humanist, or are just curious, check out this month's event. We're always looking for new members, and want to hear what you have to say! More info is available at the Orange County Atheists website. Hope to see you there!

On unsolicited cell phone calls

My cell phone is the "contact" listed on my web domain registrations, first off, because it's not my home number (and more easily traceable to me by someone online), and because I get the calls no matter where I am. 99.9% of the calls, however, are advertisers, and each one starts the same: "May I speak to the owner of the business"?

Now I know what they're referring to, but for a long time I had to ask, and they'd tell me - Michris web page design (often pronounced "mick-ris" instead of "my-chris"). They'd start by looking for some sort of contact information, then proceed to attempt to sell me something. Now I just tell them that the company no longer exists (which is kinda true), and most leave me alone. Today, however, I was feeling sassy. My recollection:

(Ring)

Me: 'ello.

Saleslady: May I speak to the owner of the business?

Me: That business no longer exists. Can I ask who this is?

Saleslady: I was just looking for the owner of the business.

Me: Who is this?

Saleslady: I'm with ______ bank.

Me: Ok. I'd prefer not to get calls anymore. Can I speak with your manager?

Saleslady: (silence)

Me: May I speak with your manager, please?

Saleslady: I don't have a manager. I'll just take your name off our list.

Me: You don't have a manager? Ok, can I have your name please?

Saleslady: (silence)

Me: Can I have your name, please?

Saleslady: No.

(click)

Unfortunately, the number was "Unknown" on my cell, so I can't easily call and report them to the FCC (the number is a cell phone AND on the Do Not Call registry). I thought it was just funny, but I'm coming to realize they broke the law, and I think I'm entitled to money (unless they claim they're doing a survey, which I doubt). Also unfortunately, I don't remember the bank name. But I still giggle when I remember her saying "I don't have a manager".

Epicurean delights, water heater, so many readers, reunion, birthday monday

Happy Monday, and Happy Birthday Ryan! I have no idea if he reads the site, but there ain't nothing wrong with good wishes.

Picture of the day!

Chris and Marek at Ryan's birthday, 2005.

Reunion this weekend was awesome - probably 40 or so alumni there, lots of good stories and catching up, and everyone seemed genuinely interested in what everyone else was up to. I wish more people had heard about it, but if there's another sometime later this year, that could be the goal. Pictures coming from this weekend.

Oh! One awesome thing from the reunion - lots of people I hadn't talked to in 5-10 years congratulated me on the birth of my child - apparently they did, or are, reading this website. Hello everyone!

If all goes well (which it didn't on Friday), we'll have a new water heater installed and hot water running through our pipes again.

We found ourselves going out to eat quite a bit this weekend, but I'm looking forward to a week of culinary delights made at home, thanks in part to extensive shopping trips to both the farmer's market and Trader Joe's. We've got fresh corn, sausage rolls, ingredients for some interesting salads (spinach and Asian pear is a distinct possibility), lots of garlic and gnocchi - the list goes on. Now, just to find time to make it all...

Friday, Reunion, Rock, Water Heater, Star Trek

September 8, 1966 - the world is changed forever by a little NBC Sci-fi show. Happy Birthday Star Trek!

Picture of the day!

My daughter passed out in her swing.

Finally, after a week without hot water, we're having our new water heater installed today. Washing dishes by hand and taking shallow baths warmed by boiling water? Those things suck. Nice warm shower and the sterilizing power of the dishwasher? Rock.

I repeat: Rock.

Tomorrow's my high school reunion, but I'm worrying it won't be too well attended - it's at a bar, and a lot of the class has chosen not to attend. There may be another in a few months, so we'll see. Private to CS: Let's do dinner on Sunday. Translation for everyone else: Stankevitz - dinner.

It's Friday, so leave a comment and tell me something exciting. Those are the rules.

Water Heater, Reunion, Weather

Finally, it's a bit cooler out, and this weekend's looking great. We're having the Los Amigos High School 10 year reunion this weekend, so if that's you, and you're reading, and you don't know about it yet, talk to me. It should be a good time.

Picture of the day!

Chris, trying to put on the St. Patty's Pi Day garter. I believe alcohol was served that evening.

Today's "new water heater" day! we couldn't find a retailer in the area that had tankless electric heaters in stock, unfortunately, so we're going with the old-fashioned type. I'll take some pictures tomorrow to show y'all why we're not installing it ourselves.

What's new with you on this Thursday, readers?

Irwin Pictures, Busy Day

Busy day, hence the late post. It's also quite warm out there, but it is September, and still summer, regardless of what the Labor Day Forces would have you believe.

Picture of the day!

Another one from Labor Day 2006, this one featuring Chris and Marek.

On both the subjects of pictures and "Is it too soon?", I've compiled some of my favorite photoshops of Steve Irwin that have come out in the last couple days, mostly from Fark. They're at my flickr site here. Someone must be looking for them by tag or has posted them from my account somewhere, because they're all becoming pretty popular in terms of views. Before you ask, this one's my favorite.

What's new?

Cookies, Weight Loss, Steve Irwin, Showers, Water Heaters, Birthdays, Labor Day

Happy Tuesday, friends! I didn't post yesterday, So I've got lots to talk about today. First, though...

Picture of the day!

Baby and Girlfriend at a fantastic Labor Day/Birthday party this weekend. All the pictures are available here. Enjoy!

Speaking of that party, thanks much to all the VanderYachts for putting it on, and Happy Birthday to Deedee, Chris (and Emily). Pool parties rock.

In more annoying news, my water heater began leaking this weekend (Friday, really), so we've been without hot water for 4 days. Minimal damage - just some ceiling and carpet discoloration (the water heater is above the dining room, on the second floor), but nothing that can't be fixed. We are going to need help, however, in removing it from its current location (which is in a "closet" off the stairwell - why they chose to put it there, I'll never know). Hopefully that won't add much to the cost.

We're looking to replace it with a tankless model, which seems pretty cool, as well as energy efficient. It'll be nice to shower at my own place again, instead of just bathing there with water boiled in the kitchen, or showering at the gym. Seriously.

Sad about Steve Irwin, but not particularly surprising. Freak accidents, however, are still freaky.

I found myself at the gym this weekend, and getting on the scale, I was amazed to see it reported me about 10lbs lighter than I think I should be. While I'd be happy if it were true, I'm somehow more inclined to think the weight loss was more scale related. We'll see.

Thanks to everyone who listed their favorite cookie - thin mints and oatmeal are very popular. That said, it's hard to go wrong with any cookie - they're cookies!

Tell me a story, readers!

Cookies, street fairs, comments, busy, busy weekend

Good day, friends! It's Friday before a three-day weekend. Busy times, though - Strato, a birthday, taking the baby to see her grandma, and car component installation if I can find the time. I'd also like to clean my office, get the desk in the garage ready to sell, and open up a can on the kitchen. But we'll see how much gets done.

Picture of the day!

Chubby Jesus and Smiley Minnie Mouse, Halloween 2002.

Comments have dropped way off in the last couple weeks - where is everyone? I'm pretty sure you're reading (I see when you come to the page), but, like me on other people's sites, sometimes you just don't have much to say. Here's a deal - update your site today, and I'll comment, and you leave a comment here. Everyone feels good!

Lots to do this weekend, even if you don't yet have plans - in the OC, there's the Orange International Street Fair - good especially if you like crowds and beer. A little further north, and along the coast, there's Fiesta Hermosa in Hermosa Beach. Big crowds again, but it doesn't seem nearly as impacted. Plus you can buy artichokes from my brother! Look for the green booth.

Happy weekending, friends, and get those comments in! If you need a topic, make it cookies - tell me about your favorite!